I have to say I had an idea it was Neelix near the beginning, and then I figured there was a relation to the NX-01 as well.

Still, it's a fascinating albeit sometimes confusing story. To offer a little con crit, I would say that sometimes the conversations between V'Ger and N'x could have used more descriptors. I realize you could not, truly, offer tags like 'he said' or 'she said', but this could have been done with some added descriptions. 'The probe from Earth said' or 'the former Borg drone said' or 'the one that was at one time called Voyager VI said'. This did not detract from enjoyment of the overall story but it did sometimes make it so that I had to reread.

I really enjoyed this story. You write very well from the Borg perspective! If this had been me, I wouldn't have known where to begin! So I applaud you for that. :)

This was very intruging, and I liked the unfolding point of view of the One, to N'x, then to Neelix--nice touch there! The conversations between N'x and his mechanical side were interesting, and so was how, as he evolved, from more machine to man, the way he percieved the world, and the way he spoke, and acted changed as well. It was cool to see V'Ger here, and I wonder if you're going to continue with him (her?) in another story, as was hinted at at the end.

As for the Great Tree, that sort of reminded me of (and maybe you'll know this reference) the Tree of Mana, from the World of Mana games. There were several legends about that tree, and maybe they were the same ones.

I really liked this story, and great job!

Author's Response:

Thanks, KB13. As for the Borg perspective, I just tried thinking like a Borg, or any other worker in a system, who doesn't quite get yet that the main office isn't sending anyone anytime soon. V'Ger is in the in-progress (First 3 Chapters Up on AA and FF.Net) work 'Encounter Thy Image', a remix of ST:TMP, TNG's Farpoint, and more than a few other eps and movies. Sadly, One/N'x/Neelix ended up in the hands of S31, who used him to boost Terran/UFP tech up a century or two, which wasn't always a good thing.

The Great Tree is a concept from Neelix on Voyager, as well as several ancient cultures (like the Norse Yggdrasil), and I have played at least one Mana game, on SNES. I wrote all this specifically in response to questions that 'Species Zero' raised,s o thanks!

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